Asthma Testing

Getting a Clear Asthma Diagnosis

Wheezing and coughing don’t always mean asthma. Infections, allergies, acid reflux, and other conditions can cause similar symptoms. An accurate diagnosis helps make sure you get the right treatment. We test children and adults for asthma at our Commerce Township and Mount Clemens offices.

How Is Asthma Diagnosed?

We start by asking about your breathing problems, when they happen, and what seems to set them off. We also review your health history and family history and do a physical exam. Most patients then have a breathing test.

One episode of wheezing doesn’t always mean asthma. Some infections and irritants can cause wheezing that goes away and doesn’t come back. That’s why we look at the full picture before making a diagnosis.

Asthma Tests We Offer

Spirometry and Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)

Spirometry measures how much air you can breathe out and how quickly. You take a deep breath and blow out hard into a mouthpiece. We often repeat the test after you use a bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways). If your breathing improves a lot after the medicine, that points to asthma. We also use spirometry at follow-up visits to see how well your treatment is working.

Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) Testing

FeNO testing measures nitric oxide, a gas in your breath that rises when your airways are inflamed. You breathe out slowly into a small handheld device for about 10 seconds. The test takes only a few minutes. It helps us understand the type of inflammation in your airways and whether an inhaled steroid is likely to help.

Allergy Testing

Allergies are a common asthma trigger. Skin or blood testing can show whether pollen, dust mites, pets, or mold are making your asthma worse, so we can address those triggers directly. Learn about allergy testing.

Preparing for Your Test

Some asthma and allergy medicines can affect test results. When you schedule, we’ll let you know if you should pause any medicines beforehand. Please don’t stop a daily controller medicine without talking to us. On the day of your test, wear comfortable clothing and avoid a heavy meal or smoking beforehand.